Q: Hello. My name is Angela, and I am writing from London, Ontario, Canada. I was told that people who lose vision in one eye can only see two dimensionally, as opposed to three dimensionally as they would with two eyes. Is this true, and if it is: why? A: It is not true. You lose some degree of three dimensionality, but not completely. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  I had strabismus surgery 9 years ago. My vision in my left eye is -2.00 (perfect with my contact though) and pefect in my right eye. My eye does turn in a little when I am stressed or during pictures. The eye that turns in swithches depending on which eye I am using. Would LASIK surgery help me at all? A: It would help you to get rid of the contacts, but would not help with the eye turning in. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have amblyopia in my left eye and am extremely nearsighted with astigmatism in my "good" right eye and wear only one gas permeable lens in my right eye, am I a candidate for LASIK? A: No, people with advanced ambyopia should not have Lasik. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dear Dr Caster, If you have Lasik or other laser corrective surgery in your thirties, does that preclude possible cataract operations later in life should they be necessary? Thank you for your reply. A: No. You can have cataract surgery later if you need it. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dr. Caster, I recently heard about a new procedure called: Advanced Surface Ablation / Advanced Custom Cornea. I found no articles or reviews about it anywhere. Do you know if it is safe and effective compared to Lasik? A: This is the same as Lasek, which is a variation of PRK. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: How long should you wait for your perscription to remain unchanged before considering surgery? What if your vision changes after the surgery? What is it I hear about the "flap" and the hazards of accidentally poking an eye after surgery? Is it a permanant risk, or just within the healing period? Should I look for the most expensive facility I can afford, or is there a reasonable point at which I can assume I get the best care and more money is not a factor? If I wait longer to have surgery performed, will the technology used in the procedures develop and result in better results with less risk? Thank you for your time. A: You ask a lot of questions. Your vision should be stable for at least one year. If your vision changes later, then a touchup will be needed. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Why would I have epithelial cells growing under my flap from my LASIX surgery? A: It just happens sometimes, more commonly in drier eyes. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dear Sir, I have been experiencing some flashes in the corner of my right eye. It kinda reminds me of a lightening flash. This happens once in awhile. What would be causing this. It began about two or three months ago. I am 72 years of age and have been wearing glasses 40 years. Thank you. Mary A: It is due to traction on the retina. Usually it is not serious, but you should see an ophthalmologist. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I had Lasik on both eyes 2/17/05. Using both Intralase and CustomCornea. The results gave me great distance but very poor near. Expecting this to get better over time, today my vision is blurry and hazy. My near vision requires me to wear reading glasses for anything less than 8 ft away. My contacts gave me better vision. My next follow up isn't until 4/8/05. I am concerned. If I had my contacts on right now, I would have taken them out and wore my glasses, now I don't have that luxury. Drops have not helped today. Again, up until today, my distant vision wasn't blurry, just now my near is awful. I am 44 yrs old but was I to wear reading glasses for everything? A: Go back to see your doctor sooner, and pose these questions. You may need an enhancement. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have macular degeneration in my right eye. Is it ok to still get lasik treatment? A: Yes, but depending on how bad the macular degeneration is, your result will be limited as far as the final vision is concerned. Andrew Caster, MD